The getup is a great exercise. I sat down to list out why that is so and came up with 13 different benefits that make this move amazing. Shoulder health – The getup works you through a wide range of planes of motion for the shoulder which includes the front, …
135 lb. Barbell Getup
This is my personal best in the barbell getup. My goal was to get one wheel (45 lb. plate) on each side and I did it here. After doing this I was wondering what the record in this move was and came across this video. This is James Gardner doing …
Behind the Back Deck of Cards Tear
This may have been the first time I’ve ever attempted this feat of strength. That being said, the behind the back deck of cards tear went quite well. By changing the position of the hands, there is a bit less leverage than out in front. It’s a tougher angle from …
Recovery goes down with Age…
I’ve been hearing this a lot lately… “I just don’t recover like I used to.” “It takes me twice as long to recover from workouts as when I was in my 20’s” …and all kinds of similar sentiments. People sometimes say to me, “Just wait til you’re older…you’ll see” I …
How Did I Get So Strong?
“How did you ever get to where you are at anyway?? Where did you find the time and the resources to make it actually happen?” -Ricky This is a great question. For those that have ears to listen this should be quite instructive… I consider my strength training journey to …
The Double Shrimp Squat
The following is what I like to call the double shrimp squat, sometimes also called the advanced shrimp squat. I first picked up this move from Al Kavadlo. The single shrimp squat, that is with just one hand behind you holding onto the foot is an easier version and a …
Fasting and Training
Mark asks: “Thanks very much for your interesting emails, and I really enjoyed the do’s and don’t health tips. Just a quick question- on your fasting days do you do any training on those days? I would be really interested to know what works best…” A great question. I recommend …
28 Things I do for Testosterone
The answer is a LOT of things. Besides getting injections, which I don’t necessarily recommend, there is no one thing that is going to give you great testosterone levels. Instead, if you’re looking at a natural approach, it’s about the stacking of many moderate to small things. While you can …
Progression Keys – Intensity, Volume, Density, Quality, RPE
I’m going to be doing a series on progression in training. Why? Because this is the most important aspect, the principle, that you must understand in order to get results. And, sadly, most people do NOT really understand progression. I haven’t talked about progression all that much since writing The …
On Confidence
You might think with the strength goals I’ve achieved, the businesses I built, and my writing these emails that go out to tens of thousands of people, that confidence has always come easy for me. If so…you couldn’t be more WRONG. Back around high school, I was probably one of …
An Evolved Bob Hoffman
I’ve been called many things over the years. An evolved Bob Hoffmann is a new one to me! Ed writes in regarding Deceptive Strength: I love this book because it confirmed and reinforced many concepts I either knew or had an “innate” understanding, especially what I know best: Olympic Weightlifting …
Strength Training as Self Development
Lifting weights, bodyweight or whatever method of exercise, is like a crucible where you forge your body, mind and spirit. I have always looked at is as such and always will. Not only that, but it is one of the best areas in which to practice the various skill sets …
My Opinion on TRT
Hormone replacement therapies. What is my opinion? That’s what Jon asked below… What is your stance on pharmaceutical grade TRT and HGH and why? I am 28 and have no intention of taking TRT until early to mid 40s but I imagine I will take small daily or weekly doses …
Ralph Waldo Emerson on Strength Training
Well, it’s not actually about strength training per se, but it does have to do with it. This truth applies to just about anything, but certainly he could be talking about fitness. When many people first get into strength training they often ask what is the best? What is the …
Isometrics or Full Range Lifts
Is it better to train using full range lifts or isometrics? First of all, you can use isometrics in two main different ways. You can get incredibly strong and activate your entire body with just isometrics training, like Steve Justa for example. There is a great book called “Functional Isometric …